PRE-GAME Round 22 - Dragons vs Broncos

[Mitch06]

I would rather lose to a team with him in it than win against a team without him. Either way we should get the win...we are well due for it.

 

[Super Freak]

Hunt and Milford should start adding tripping to their game.

It's quite clear you're not going to be suspended over it.

 

[lynx000]

Can I dwell on a couple of unintended positives of the recent weeks:-

1. Thaiday and Maguire have had a forced rest after Origin and hopefully should come back quite fresh now for the rest of the season;

2. Ditto for Gillett, Nikorima and Kahu, although they have had a significantly longer break and should be very fresh now and set up for the rest of the season (fingers crossed that no more injuries occur).

3. Opacic has been given some exposure and the initial signs look positive. Hopefully this means he takes a wing or centre spot and that means no more Maranta.

4. Our younger forwards have probably had a little more exposure than we intended, but that may prove helpful if they are called upon to fill a gap in the important games at the end of the season.

5. Having Niko back if that occurs this week means there is a chance to give McCullough a rest and hopefully have him fresher at the end of the games and for ongoing games.

6. Boyd is in very good form and he is not looking like the Origin has taken a lot out of him.

Now if we can just get the halves firing and get the attitude and discipline back in defence, who knows what may happen?

 

[Super Freak]

I didn't see Walters at training today.

 

[lynx000]

Can I dwell on a couple of unintended positives of the recent weeks:-

1. Thaiday and Maguire have had a forced rest after Origin and hopefully should come back quite fresh now for the rest of the season;

2. Ditto for Gillett, Nikorima and Kahu, although they have had a significantly longer break and should be very fresh now and set up for the rest of the season (fingers crossed that no more injuries occur).

3. Opacic has been given some exposure and the initial signs look positive. Hopefully this means he takes a wing or centre spot and that means no more Maranta.

4. Our younger forwards have probably had a little more exposure than we intended, but that may prove helpful if they are called upon to fill a gap in the important games at the end of the season.

5. Having Niko back if that occurs this week means there is a chance to give McCullough a rest and hopefully have him fresher at the end of the games and for ongoing games.

6. Boyd is in very good form and he is not looking like the Origin has taken a lot out of him.

Now if we can just get the halves firing and get the attitude and discipline back in defence, who knows what may happen?

I know that this is an unusually positive post for me, it is actually me posting.

 

[broncos4life]

I know that this is an unusually positive post for me, it is actually me posting.

ha ha - gold!

 

[lionred]

Boyd looked a little off the last game. Hopefully that was just a one off.

 

[mitch222]

I didn't see Walters at training today.

he spends time with the halves only doesn't he? maybe he has personal sessions with them

 

[Porthoz]

I know that this is an unusually positive post for me, it is actually me posting.

I thought your account had been hijacked. :laugh:

 

[Wolfie]

The common factor in those teams, is that all of them have at least one half capable of organising their team and controlling a game with their kicking (Thurston, Cronk, Maloney, Sezer). In fact, almost every team in the NRL has one of those halves... we don't!

Other than Melbourne with Smith, those other teams also don't have particularly proficient second choice kickers, at least not better than Milford or Macca are.

I think Hunt cops it more because:
- He is the older, more experienced half in the team, and our first choice kicker.
- Milford is regarded as the player with the highest ceiling.
- We let a youngster with those qualities go, because Ben was (rightfully) ahead of him.

I've always said that Hunt is much more of a traditional 5/8 than a halfback, because his strength is his running game, and that is the reason why I originally wanted Milford at fullback (with Boyd as a centre instead of Reed), Hunt at 5/8 and give Taylor a shot at halfback, because despite his youth and inexperience, Ashley has exactly everything we lack in terms or organisation and kicking game.

Admittedly, we probably wouldn't have made the GF last year, and as I mentioned before, Boyd has been doing a fantastic job as custodian, certainly much better than I thought he would be. But on the other hand, we probably would be in better shape for the future, and imagine how handy Boyd would have been with our backline woes this season!

P.S. This isn't hindsight or beating my chest up. It's the opinion I've always had, even if last season certainly made me doubt myself.

Agree with a lot of that in regards to Hunt. He should be the general, the player leading the team around and he doesnt. Milf is still developing as a half which is why he gets cut a bit more slack, although i think people can see he looks unfit and needs to put in a bit more effort.

I still think Hunt could easily step up and become a very dangerous hooker. All we have to do is find a half back to replace him and we will be sweet!

I see Cronk Still hasnt signed a contract at Melbourne :takdir:

 

[1910]

I didn't see Walters at training today.

Still hasn't been approved by the QRL or any real talks with Brisbane.

 

[abashii]

I didn't see Walters at training today.

I saw something on tv briefly, looks like he's doing some one on one stuff with Renouf.

 

[Porthoz]

Agree with a lot of that in regards to Hunt. He should be the general, the player leading the team around and he doesnt. Milf is still developing as a half which is why he gets cut a bit more slack, although i think people can see he looks unfit and needs to put in a bit more effort.

I still think Hunt could easily step up and become a very dangerous hooker. All we have to do is find a half back to replace him and we will be sweet!

I see Cronk Still hasnt signed a contract at Melbourne :takdir:

It's not the worst idea, but I'd prefer getting Taylor back, given Cronk won't be around for long
Not sure about Hunt being able to handle the defensive load a hooker requires...but he would almost certainly give us some nice attacking spark.

 

[Aldo]

I saw something on tv briefly, looks like he's doing some one on one stuff with Renouf.

Cool, Renouf back!!!

 

[Super Freak]

Agree with a lot of that in regards to Hunt. He should be the general, the player leading the team around and he doesnt. Milf is still developing as a half which is why he gets cut a bit more slack, although i think people can see he looks unfit and needs to put in a bit more effort.

I still think Hunt could easily step up and become a very dangerous hooker. All we have to do is find a half back to replace him and we will be sweet!

I see Cronk Still hasnt signed a contract at Melbourne :takdir:

And Hunt isn't?

He has spent most of his career playing and training as a hooker.

This is his 3rd year as a half. This is Milford's second year as a half.

I'm not sure why one is being cut so much slack and the other isn't. They are both still learning the position.

 

[Mister Wright]

And Hunt isn't?

He has spent most of his career playing and training as a hooker.

This is his 3rd year as a half. This is Milford's second year as a half.

I'm not sure why one is being cut so much slack and the other isn't. They are both still learning the position.

So much this!

I don't understand what all the negativity is about. Yes we are in a form slump at the moment, but it is all because of injuries. Until the injury curse hit we were leading the Cowboys in NQ by 12 points with 20 minutes to go and cruising. We haven't really recovered since that game. The only 2 games we have been close to full strength has been against Canberra & Souths, and guess what? We won! Hunt was probably the best halfback last season, if only behind Thurston & Milford was close to leading the Daly Ms at the start of the season. I'll only start getting worried if we are back to full strength and we are still losing in 2 or 3 weeks time.

 

[Wolfie]

And Hunt isn't?

He has spent most of his career playing and training as a hooker.


This is his 3rd year as a half. This is Milford's second year as a half.

I'm not sure why one is being cut so much slack and the other isn't. They are both still learning the position.

I guess to a point he is, but he is 26 now? Not sure he has that much more improvement in him tbh.

He was the best half around in his age group iirc. Didn't help how Hook brought him through I guess, its like he became our half back almost by default. He has had more experience as a half overall I would say, just the 3 seasons at nrl level.

 

[broncos4life]

And Hunt isn't?

He has spent most of his career playing and training as a hooker.

This is his 3rd year as a half. This is Milford's second year as a half.

I'm not sure why one is being cut so much slack and the other isn't. They are both still learning the position.

Hang on now, surely your not suggesting that 15 minutes off the bench playing hooker wasn't a chance to develop his game as a halfback?